Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the defection during a plenary session when he read Gumi’s defection letter to fellow lawmakers.
Gumi, who represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, cited ongoing internal crises within the PDP ranks in his constituency as the reason for his departure.
“The Honourable member stated that there are two PDP Chairmen in his constituency, contributing to the internal and external crisis within the party in his state. The party lacks structure in the state,” Speaker Abbas explained.
In response, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda raised a constitutional point of order, urging the Speaker to address the defection according to Nigerian constitutional guidelines.
“Mr. Speaker, I am speaking under a constitutional point of order. You are aware that when a member leaves his political party, the rules are clear. There is a time to do the right thing, and that time has come. You swore to uphold the constitution of this country,” Chinda asserted.
While several PDP lawmakers applauded Chinda, Gumi’s defection proceeded without interruption, with APC members also showing their support through applause.
The defection comes just two weeks after Gumi’s appointment as Chairman of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission.
